The VISA U.S. Gymnastics Championships begin Wednesday, August 17, 2011 in St. Paul, Minn.

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Chellsie Memmel

Memmel is another 2008 Olympian on the comeback trail. The 2005 world all-around champion’s career has been beset by injuries at the worst times, but she can still be world class, particularly on uneven bars.

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Shawn Johnson

The four-time 2008 Olympic medalist returned to competition for the first time in three years at July’s CoverGirl Classic. After Beijing, Johnson won “Dancing With the Stars” and then tore her ACL, MCL and meniscus in her left knee in a ski trip accident in January 2010.

Chellsie Memmel is set to compete at CoverGirl Classic later this month after nearly two years away from elite competition. The 2005 world all-around champion spoke with UniversalSports.com about the nerves, an unexpected setback caused by her sister’s dog, and how she feels with just over one year until London 2012.

Were there times when you wondered if this was the right thing for you?

There were definitely some hard days. There always is. This is the first time I’ve taken a complete break from gymnastics, which was nice because my body needed a break- and my mind. The hardest part for me is getting back into shape and into gymnastics shape. That goes away so quickly and it’s hard to get it back. The skills came back pretty easily. It was putting those skills into routines and having that routine endurance that takes time. I’m still building that up. I’m not in full form yet.

You can run and you can do intervals on the bike, but there’s nothing you can do to fully stimulate doing a bar routine. You have to do them. That’s been the hardest part – getting back routine stamina and endurance.

When did you begin to feel like, “I’m back”?

Actually pretty recently. Bars has been the slowest to come back. I had a couple untimely things I had to take time off for. I tweaked my shoulder a little [in February] and then I had an accident with my sister’s dog. It was an accident, but he sliced my finger. I had to take two weeks off bars [in March]. I felt so pathetic, but it was deep and I didn’t want it to get infected and have to take even more time off, so I had to let it heal.

I finally felt like okay, this is totally possible just a few weeks ago. When everything started to get easier and I actually felt the progress being made I felt, ‘Okay this is possible. I can do this.’

What happened with your sister’s dog?

It was just one of those freak accidents. I had a basketball in my hand and he went for the basketball and got my pinkie instead. It was a big canine tooth. It was only on bars I took two weeks off.

What are the advantages to be an ‘older gymnast?’

Definitely experience. I’ve competed at so many different competitions, so many different countries, different venues, just knowing to expect anything. It’s always a – hurry up and wait. The drawbacks are not bad. You do less numbers. My body can only handle so many numbers, but then I know I have to make those routines count.

What do you hope fans and others take away from your comeback?

I just want them to know that I’m serious about it. I’m doing it for me and for the team. I’d love to see the team get a gold medal and if I can help them do that then I would love to be a part of it. There’s no motivation from anywhere else except for me. Not having the experience I wanted personally and as a team [in Beijing] – it’s always that ultimate goal of an Olympic medal and this time it would be great to have a team gold medal.

Is it any less pressure knowing that you have made the Olympic Team once before?

Yes and no. It’s not any different because you always have to prove yourself. Nothing is given to you. You have to go out and prove that you can do it and prove that you’re going to be an asset for the team. That doesn’t change. No matter how many Olympic teams or world medals that you have, you are not a shoe-in for anything. You still have to prove it.

Do you feel under the radar?

I haven’t made a huge hype about my comeback. I’ve been training. I’ve been in the gym. Some people know it. Some people don’t. I’m totally fine with that. I have my goals. I know what they are and hopefully I’ll get a chance to show everybody.

Chellsie Memmel is set to compete at CoverGirl Classic later this month after nearly two years away from elite competition. The 2005 world all-around champion spoke with UniversalSports.com about the nerves, an unexpected setback caused by her sister’s dog, and how she feels with just over one year until London 2012.

You have done a few smaller competitions, but what are you feeling now just weeks away from CoverGirl Classic?

I’m definitely nervous. It’s my first time getting back out on the big stage in two years. The last time I competed was 2009, but that was only one event, beam at Championships. Before that, the last time I competed all-around was [2008] Olympic trials.

Are you already feeling the nerves, or is that something that happens once you actually arrive at the meet?

I’m feeling it already. I’ll be honest about that, but training is going well. I know I’m not going to be in top form right away because that’s not the training plan – to be the best at Classics. It’s the first stepping stone. Classics, then Championships, then selection camp.

Why did you decide to come back and put yourself through the pressure of competition again?

I like everything about this sport. Competing for me is a huge adrenaline rush. Showing people what you can do and vying for a spot on the team to represent your country – that’s an amazing thing to be able to do.

What goals have you set for yourself at CoverGirl Classic?

I want to get some confidence walking away from Classics. I have three more solid weeks of training between Classics and Championships. A lot can be improved in three weeks. I just want to go out and be able to feel confident after I’m done – and qualify! This is my way of getting to Championships.

Several of your Beijing teammates are in various stages of their own comebacks. Is that exciting for you?

It’s really cool. I think it shows a lot about us as a country that we want to do our best and vie for that gold medal that we didn’t quite get in Beijing. I think that’s a lot of the reason why we are coming back. It only makes for a stronger team if there can be some veterans a part of it.

When did you fully commit to your own comeback?

At first I was just playing around and then I really had to prove to my dad [who is her coach] that I wanted to do it again. It had to come from me first. He wasn’t like, ‘Okay let’s get going,’ it was, ‘Show me that you want to do this’ and then I will put together training plans.

It would have been a waste of both of our time and there would have been a lot of friction if we both weren’t on the same page. I think it started getting more serious in February. I was in the gym since October/November, but that was still testing the water. Even in the past month a lot more has come together. I got to see his training plan and think – this really works.

Gold Medal Greetings (GMG) announces the launch of a new service offering custom telephone greetings from some of the most famous and decorated names in the sport of gymnastics. Customers can order a pre-recorded message from a gymnastics celebrity as a gift to be delivered via telephone on the day and time of their selection.

World-class athletes who have triumphed at the highest levels of the sport are included in the program. Gold Medal Greetings has signed a world-class roster of charter athletes including Olympic Champions Shawn Johnson, Shannon Miller, Carly Patterson and Paul Hamm, Olympic medalist Jonathan Horton, World Champion and Olympian Chellsie Memmel, and three-time Olympian Blaine Wilson.

In addition to standard messages, a CustomCall option will also be available for customers to personalize the celebrity greeting with a personal message. Greetings delivered in the U.S. are $8.99 and $9.99 for International and CustomCalls. A portion from each order goes to the charity of the athlete’s choosing.

“Gold Medal Greetings helps spark the celebration of favorite days and occasions throughout the year,” said Tanya Jacoby, spokesperson for Gold Medal Greetings.

“Imagine when a young gymnast gets a good luck greeting from one of their favorite gymnasts just before a meet – talk about a boost of motivation! And we’re excited to offer this one-of-a-kind gift just in time for the holidays!”

Greeting options from the celebrities that can be ordered include: Happy Birthday, Good Luck, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Get Well, Happy Mother’s Day, Happy Father’s Day, Happy Valentine’s Day or Happy Anniversary.

Gold Medal Greetings has also partnered with Atlanta-based Inside Publications as the exclusive marketing launch partner. Inside Publications produces Inside Gymnastics magazine and Inside Cheerleading magazine along with the websites for both titles. The two companies will jointly promote the services.

“We are extremely excited to be a part of the launch of Gold Medal Greetings,” said Shane Womack, Director of Marketing for Inside Publications. “Kids across the country look up to these athletes and will be thrilled to receive a phone call from a role model. One of the things that most appealed to us in being involved with Gold Medal Greetings is the fact that a portion of the revenue from every call is donated to the gymnasts’ charity of choice. It’s a great message not only now during the holiday season, but throughout the year.”

“I have run out of time, and I am not quite where I want to be gymnastics-wise,” said Memmel, who is coached by her father, Andy.  “I haven’t been able to do the number of routines and repetitions that I need to represent the USA at the highest level. Also, I thought this would make it easier for Martha and the selection committee in naming the team, because we have so many talented gymnasts who deserve the chance to go to London. My Dad and I met with Martha and she is very supportive of this decision.

“I am going home and will spend the time getting my routines ready for next year.”